Fatal design flaws left Mike Lynch Superyacht “vulnerable” to high winds, confirm UK researchers

A report on the sinking of a Superyacht who killed a British technology tycoon on Thursday as the design of the ship had left him “vulnerable”, as he was abused by Hurricane’s force winds.

The luxury of 185 meters (185 feet) Bayesian was hit by a pre-storm on August 19, 2024, as it was anchored in Sicily and sank quickly, killing Mike Lynch and six others, including his 18-year-old daughter and the boat’s chef.

Lynch, the 59 -year -old founder of Autonomy Software Firm, had invited friends and family to the Yacht to celebrate his recent acquittal in a fraud case in the United States.

The provisional report published by a British research body said that the boat could have been “vulnerable” to the winds, especially under a set of conditions that included running in its motor mode and lowering the sails.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) – A UK government agency studying accidents involving British ships worldwide, said that the wind speeds of about 117 kilometers per hour were sufficient to ravage – in these conditions, and possibly even in lighter winds.

But he said that these “vulnerabilities” were “unknown to the owner or the Bayesian crew” as they were not included in a manual on board.

On the night of the sink, “Hurricane Force Winds” of more than 73 km / h hit the yacht in less than 15 seconds, while “people, furniture and loose items fell on the deck,” according to the report.

High “lift”

The Bayesian had an exceptionally high pole at 72 meters (236 feet), and researchers said that their profile “produced an effective degree of elevation” that increased the amount that the boat rested in the wind.

The Maib could not examine the boat, as the wreck is still 50 meters depth, but said it reviewed its design and operation, as well as the weather conditions.

Efforts to lift the yacht from the seabed were suspended after the death of a diver who worked to remove the post last week.

This rescue operation will resume on Thursday, according to TMC Marine, the company in charge of the mission.

In England, coroners’ investigations are studying the death of four British victims, while in Italy prosecutors have opened research on the captain and three others by suspicion of slaughter and the crime of negligent wreck.

The Maib said that the details of his report could change if the Italian authorities published more information.

This story originally presented to Fortune.com